Tape-measure.



No. 841,272. PATENTED JAN. 15, 1907. R. J. READ.

TAPE MEASURE. APPLICATION FILED MAY 24. 1906.

P1Er l TIE; E

THE NORRIS PETERS cm, WASHINGTON, n. c

' sectional view through the same.

RALSTON J. READ, OF RENO, NEVADA.

PATENT OFFICE.

TAPE-MEASURE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 15, 1907.

' Application filed May 24, 1906. Serial No. 318,506.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RALSTON J. READ, a citizen of the United States, residing at Reno, in the county of Washoe and State of Nevada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tape-Measures; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to improvements in tape-measures, and more particularly to points or spurs for the outer or free ends of the same, whereby such ends may be fas tened to the objects or surfaces to be measured.

The object of the invention is to provide a device of this character of simple, durable, and inexpensive construction which may be readily applied to a tape-measure of any description and which will be well adapted for the purpose intended.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of the free end of a tapemeasure, showing the application of the invention thereto. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal Fig. 3 is a view of the under or inner side of the device. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view through the same, and Fig. 5 is a detail view of the folding point or spur.

Referring to the drawings by numeral, 1 denotes a portion of a tape-measure of any description, and 2 denotes my improved fastening-point or spur therefor. This device comprises a small metal plate or body of substantially rectangular form having upon its top or upper face adjacent to one end a curved enlargement 3, which serves as a finger or thumb rest and provides for the formation of a cavity or recess 4, in which is mounted a folding spur or point 5. The cavity 4 is in the bottom or under face of the body 2 and is adapted to receive the shank 6 of the spur 5, which latter is preferably shaped as shown in the drawings, but which may be of any other suitable form and shape. The shank 6 is rectangular in form and provided with a transverse aperture to receive a transverse pivot-pin, which retains it in the cavity 4. Aspring 8 is provided in this cavity and is adaptedto engage the flat faces of the shank 6 to hold the-spur in either its opened or closed position, as will be readily understood upon reference to Figs. 2 and 4 of the drawings. Upon the under side of the inner end of the body or plate 2 is formed a transverse offset portion or enlargement 9, which is recessed to provide apertured ears 10. The latter are adapted to receive a screw 11, which also passes through a loop or similar connection at the free end of the tape-measure 1 for the purpose of attaching the device to the latter. By removing the metal rings or loops upon the ends of the tape-measure now in general use the device may be readily applied by means of the screw 12.

' The construction, use, and advantages of the invention will be readily understood from the fore oing description, taken in connection Wit will be seen that when the device is not in use the spur or oint 5 is folded down upon the under face 0 the body or plate 2 and that when it is desired to use the measure and to fasten its free end upon an object or surface to be measured said spur is swung outwardly at right angles to the body, so that it may be readily embedded in said object or surface by pressing upon the finger piece or rest 3. The device thus dispenses with the use of nails and the like for holding the tape in place and enables one man to readily take any measurements desired.

Various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A tape-measure having a body secured to one end thereof, said body bein provided on its outer side with an offset en argement, and in its inner side with a recess extending into said enlargement, a spur pivotally mounted in said recess, and a spring coacting with said spur to hold the latter either in a closed or in an open position.

2. A device of the character described comprising a body having enlargements adjacent to its ends on its opposite sides, one of said enlargements being recessed to form apertured ears and the other being formed with a cavity or recess, a foldable spur mounted in the accompanying drawings. It

said cavity or recess, and a tape-attaching having a loop upon its end and a screw passed through said loop and apertured ears, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing wit- 1 5 nesses.

RALSTON J. READ. Witnesses:

J. K. SEAMAN, H. A. RILEY. 

